Nash Run Trash Trap Sorting Challenge

Note: This event is weather dependent. If you are sick or exhibiting symptoms associated with COVID-19 (such as fever, chills, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or smell, etc.), please do not come to the event and consider joining us another time. Date : Saturday, December 5, 2026 Time : 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm Meeting Location : Anacostia Ave NE and Douglas St NE (intersection), Washington DC, 20019 (Map) This site is about an 8-minute walk from the Deanwood Metro Station on the Orange Line Street parking available Project : Since its inception in 1989, AWS staff and volunteers have removed tons of trash from the Anacostia River each year. Our Nash Run Trash Trap cleanups have been a huge success in helping us to make progress towards our goal for a trash free Anacostia River. This trash trap catches trash before it ends up in the River! But our staff can’t manage this trap alone. Volunteers are critical to our plan to collect trash and monitor this trash trap. At the event we will sort trash that has been removed from this trap into 11 categories. We will count the pieces of trash and measure the weight and volume for each category. The data collected from our trash traps has helped to pass the (grocery) bag fee law in DC and brought a ripple effect into Montgomery County; and it has helped to ban the use of Styrofoam food packaging, etc. in DC, Montgomery County, and Prince George’s County. We still need to work on trash items such as beverage bottles, cans, and food wrappers, which is why we need your help! The data you help us collect will be used to educate the public and advocate for a better practice, such as the Bottle Deposit Bill. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the trash challenges of the Anacostia and what is being done to address them! Physical Level of Difficulty : Easy to Moderate Physical Requirements : The task requires squatting down for a relatively long time, and may be physically demanding. It is not…